Change Watch Backgrounder: David Ogden
by Tom McClusky
February 2, 2009
POSITION: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
NOMINEE: David Ogden
Born: November 12, 1953
Family: Wife, Anne Harkavy, and three children.
Occupation: partner at the Washington, D.C. firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, co-running the firm’s Government and Regulatory Litigation Practice Group.
Education: B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, 1976; J.D. magna cum laude in 1981 from Harvard Law School
Clinton White House: 1994-1995, Deputy General Counsel and the Legal Counsel for the United States Department of Defense; 1995 – 1997, Associate Deputy Attorney General in the United States Department of Justice; 1997 – 1998, Counselor to the United States Attorney General; 1998 – 1999, chief of staff to the United States Attorney General; 1999 – 2000, Acting Assistant Attorney General; 2000 – 2001, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division in the United States Department of Justice.
On Abortion
In a brief for the American Psychological Association in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, he wrote: “Abortion rarely causes or exacerbates psychological or emotional problems. When women do experience regret, depression, or guilt, such feelings are mild and diminish rapidly without adversely affecting general functioning. The few women who do experience negative psychological responses after abortion appear to be those with preexisting emotional problems ….”
Ogden also wrote: “In sum, it is grossly misleading to tell a woman that abortion imposes possible detrimental psychological effects when the risks are negligible in most cases, when the evidence shows that she is more likely to experience feelings of relief and happiness, and when child-birth and child-rearing or adoption may pose concomitant (if not greater) risks or adverse psychological effects ….”
[Source]
Opposed Parental Notification by 14-year olds
In Hartigan v. Zbaraz, 484 U.S. 171 (1987), Ogden co-authored a brief for the American Psychological Association arguing that parental notification was an unconstitutional burden on 14-year old adolescent girls seeking an abortion. Excerpts:
“There is no question that the right to secure an abortion is fundamental.” (p. 10).
“By any objective standard, therefore, the decision to abort is one that a reasonable person, including a reasonable adolescent, could make.” (p. 11).
“[E]mpirical studies have found few differences between minors aged 14-18 and adults in their understanding of information and their ability to think of options and consequences when asked to consider treatment-related decisions. These unvarying and highly significant findings indicate that with respect to the capacity to understand and reason logically, there is no qualitative or quantitative difference between minors in mid-adolescence, i.e., about 14-15 years of age, and adults.” (p. 18).
[Source]
Miscellaneous Abortion filings
In Rust v. Sullivan, 500 U.S. 173 (1990), Ogden served as counsel to People for the American Way, the National Education Association, and others supporting petitioner’s claim that abortion is a method of family planning that should be eligible for federal funding.
In Scheidler v. National Organization for Women, 537 U.S. 393 (2003), Ogden co-authored the brief for the respondent NOW and several abortion clinics. They sought permanent injunctive relief under RICO, which was originally aimed at fighting organized mob crime, against pro-life protestors from Operation Rescue and the Pro-Life Action League. Available on WestLaw as 2002 WL 31154781.
See also Gonzales v. Oregon, 546 U.S. 243 (2006), where Ogden served as counsel of record on behalf of law professors filing an amicus brief supporting Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act and opposing the Ashcroft Directive barring assisted suicide. Available on LexisNexis as 2004 U.S. Briefs 623.
On Homosexuality
In Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003), Ogden served as counsel of record for the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the National Association of Social Workers filing an amicus brief in support of the defendants.
”Of course, families headed by gay couples may encounter particular issues and challenges, much as families of racial and ethnic minority group members, low-income families, and single-parent families do.” (p. 21).
“Although a shift in public opinion concerning homosexuality occurred in the 1990s, hostility towards gay men and lesbians remains common in contemporary American society. Prejudice against bisexuals appears to exist at comparable levels. Discrimination against gay people in employment and housing also appears to remain widespread. The severity of this anti-gay prejudice is reflected in the consistently high rate of anti-gay harassment and violence in American society.” (p. 23-24). [Source]
On Gays in the Military
In Watkins v. United States Army, 875 F.2d 699 (9th Cir. 1989), Ogden filed an amicus brief on behalf of the American Psychological Association. In it, APA argued “(8) prejudice against lesbians and gay men in the Army is likely to be reduced by encouraging contact between homosexuals and heterosexuals; and (9) there was no rational basis for the Army’s exclusion of gay people.”
[Source]
On Strict Scrutiny for Gay Rights Claims
In an article for the APA, Ogden called for “strict scrutiny” of claims by homosexual persons. American Psychologist, Vol. 46, No. 9, p. 950-956 (September 1991).
[Source]
Pornography and Obscenity
Opposed the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000
In United States v. American Library Association, Ogden served as counsel of record for an amicus brief filed on behalf of fifteen library directors in support of the Association.
“As a condition of receiving federal funds, Congress has – with the Children’s Internet Protection Act … – insisted that public libraries affirmatively censor constitutionally-protected material. By demanding that libraries be censors and devote resources – not to facilitating – but to interfering with patrons’ pursuit of information and ideas, Congress has subverted the role of librarians and public libraries and violated the First Amendment rights of library patrons.” (p. 3).
CIPA “impairs the ability of librarians to aid patrons seeking information.” (p. 11).
[Source]
Challenged the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act
Ogden represented several communications trade associations challenging provisions of the Child Protection and Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1988. He convinced the court that requiring producers of pornographic materials to personally verify that models were over age 18 at the time the materials were made would “burden too heavily and infringe too deeply on the right to produce First Amendment protected material.” American Library Association v. Thornburgh, 713 F.Supp. 469, 477 (D.D.C. 1989).
Representation of Pornographers
Ogden represented Playboy Enterprises, among others, seeking an order forcing the Library of Congress to use taxpayer funds to print Playboy Magazine’s articles in Braille against the express wishes of Congress. American Council for the Blind v. Boorstin, 644 F.Supp. 811 (1986). Ogden represented Playboy Enterprises seeking an injunction against the inclusion of Playboy in a list of pornographic magazines that would potentially be included in the Meese Commission report. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. v. Meese, 746 F.Supp. 154 (D.D.C. 1990). Ogden represented a mail-order pornography distributor with a nation-wide business who complained of an allegedly unconstitutional multi-district prosecution strategy by the Department of Justice. P.HE., Inc., v. United States Department of Justice, 743 F.Supp. 15 (D.D.C. 1990) and United States v. P.H.E., Inc., 965 F.2d 848 (10th Cir. 1992).
Ogden has filed numerous amicus briefs in pornography and obscenity cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, including Knox v. United States, 510 U.S. 375 (1993) (on behalf of the ACLU and others); Fort Wayne Books, Inc. v. Indiana, 489 U.S. 46 (1989) (on behalf of mail-order pornography distributor P.H.E., Inc.); Virginia v. American Booksellers Association, 484 U.S. 383 (1988) (on behalf of the Freedom to Read Foundation); Pope v. Illinois, 481 U.S. 497 (1987) (on behalf of the ACLU and P.H.E., Inc.). See also Meese v. Keene, 481 U.S. 465 (1987) (on behalf of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., and the American Booksellers Association).
On Judicial Activism
“Sen. Sessions: I was concerned about your comments on judicial activism or the meaning of our Constitution and how it ought to be interpreted in an article you wrote back in July 1986 concerning the Bowers case in Georgia . . .
‘Constitutional interpretation cannot be limited to ascertain the way a particular law would have been viewed by the Framers. While constitutional principles do not change, the society and individuals in whom they are applied do, and our knowledge about that society and those individuals improves with time.’
Then you noted the changing social context is as much a part of the constitutional issues to be decided as the statute itself because to ignore it is to fail in the court’s basic task, adapting the great outlines of the Constitution to the particular problems of each generation, and then you went on to make some other comments.” Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, 106th Congress August 4, 1999.
[Source]
Tobacco Litigation
Was a major player in the Clinton Administration’s efforts to profit from the numerous court cases against tobacco companies and releasing a statement on the day the suit was announced [Source]. He also testified before Congress in 2001 stating he believed the government had a strong case because of the tobacco industry’s “long-standing conspiracy to defraud the American public.”
[Source]
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Comments
Yes to Family values! No to Ogden!
I oppose David Ogden for the position of: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL,
And I trust you will do all you can to see that he is not given this position, for many, many substaantial reasons.
Thank you for your attention on this matter.
David Ogden is strongly opposed to what the majority of American Citizens feel is right and strongly supportive of those beliefs and values that the majority of American citizens feel is wrong. How can Obama nominate such a person who is so out-of-step with the public? One can only come to the conclusion that Obama is supportive of these negative values.
In regards to David Ogden, I oppose his nomination for Deputy Attorney General based on his ideas about the physchological effects following an abortion, his disapproval of parental notification, his approval of abortion being used for family planning and his challenge to the Children’s Internet Protection act. He certainly has an agenda which I find very disturbing.
I don’t think this man qualifies to be nominated for the position of deputy attorney general!! He doesn’t represent our views or values!! Thank you.
How is it that someone like this gets confirmed without so much as a peep from the Republican senators??? I would really like to see the people of this country stand up and speak out against this nonsense. It will only get worse if we are not able to vote in true conservatives to combat the agenda that is being pushed through by those on the far-left.
More change?? Looks like total corrupion of our goverment to me. Same old line, the average person won’t know untill its too late, and its almost to late now!!!! Only God can overcome what is to come!!
Does it get any worse than this?
I guess the ACLU is now running the country.
It turns my stomach frankly.
The statement on abortion’s effects is an absolute lie. It’s too bad a Harvard Law “Magna” produces so little moral sense. I would go so far as to say that the positions taken here are the promotion of evil. He has three children, which is frightening….
Michael McLaughlin
Religion Dept.
Saint Leo University
Please help stop this man, David Ogden from becoming a U.S. Deputy Attorney General. How he desires to change our culture and our nation to a depraved state that is not only offensive to my conscience but it is evil. The things he backs are deeply troubling. I do not want to see people in positions of national authority who are against common decency and promote what I consider to be deviant behavior. This is the kind of person who wants to destroy the institution of marriage and the family as it has been defined before the beginning of our nation. Who believes it is the state that should replace the family of biological parents or adoptive parents. That parents do not have the place of respect and honor they deserve, as he believes that the state knows best, what is good for us. I believe that children are raised best with a mother and father role models present. I believe parents have the right to raise children, to counsel our children and to advise them. That parents need to be notified if their children are in trouble or a daughter is pregnant. I believe the framers knew what they were talking about in the constitution. The constitution was to limit government and give rights to individuals within a morale framework. And this morale framework was based on our Judean-Christian values. When ignoring moral values the society will slip into deep decay and will loose cohesion, we have already seen this to a degree and the results are loss of value to life, more injustice, barbarism and violence to those who live under such a system.
I was disgusted after reading many quotes by David Ogden. I am a 46 year old woman who is appalled at the thought that he believes a 14 year old child has the same capacity to make life altering decisions as an adult such as myself. I am also quite angered about his foolishness in thinking it is perfectly acceptable for a child to undergo an abortion, without any parential notification whatsoever. In my humble opinion, that is nothing short of insanity and absolute irresponsibility. God help us all if matters such as these, do not change course.
I suppose we should have known that these would be the type(s) of individuals Obama would pick to run his agencies.
After reading the above, this Ogden character, clearly has ‘no character’. This man stands against anything decent or morale in society.
Tax cheats, immorale character, what will be next?
Not to mention that they all, including Obama, have blood- stained hands from participating in the murders of those unborn babies!
Those liberal Democrats are as guilty as Saul was before the Lord changed him on the road to Damascas.
If the Obama administration don’t change their way of thinking we will soon be using Parker Brother’s Monopoly money.
All christian organzations need to keep up the pressure on this Congress and Administration.
God bless you all!
Terrence Daniels
P.S. I am curious about one thing. Do you know the percentage of black christians that voted for Obama? How about the white christians?
Please reply if you have any answers, just curious.
Ogden Gnashing
Courtesy of the Family Research Council:President Obama is on his 15th day in office and his fourth nomination controversy. While the nation is distracted by a trio of tax scandals, other high-profile candidates are squeaking by unnoticed. One nominee …
Please do not endorse David Ogden for Deputy Attorney General. This country needs someone who upholds moral standards.
After a review of David Ogden’s stance on major issues, my conclusion is that he is ‘out of touch’ completely with the majority of Americans on family issues that affect each of us, our children snd grsndchildren as well as future generations. Using him in the current administration will be very detrimental to ALL citizens. It really looks like this administration is much more radical than expected.
Thank you very much.
This is totally unacceptable! As a parent and grandparent I value family relationships and a high standard of morality, protection of the un born and etc etc. please do not put this man David Ogden in office where these values could be wiped out!
David Ogden doesn’t uphold the same morals and values as most Americans do. Please don’t allow him to become the next US Deputy Attorney General. His voting record speaks for itself and he doesn’t represent me, my family, or my corporation when he votes. Thank you.
Please do not confirm Mr. Ogden for office of deputy attorney general. He is so very anti-family values. It is very frightening to me to have him hold such a responsible office with the values he holds. It puts fear into my heart for my grandchildren and succeeding generations if his values become a part of this great country’s standards. Please reconsider his confirmation by thinking ahead to the results.
Sounds like more of the fox guarding the hen house. Surely, our new president was aware of this man’s background, but then again most Americans were aware of Obama’s background and voted for him anyway. I say NO to Ogden and thank God for those in Washington who are trying to keep the foxes out of the hen house by checking out their credentials. Keep up the good work.
People voted for change in Washington. Little did they know it would be changing back to the Clinton cabinet and the disaster that was. Mr. Ogden should not be confirmed as deputy attorney general. He apparently has no values. We need a person in that position who has real, dedicated Christian values.
WS Holbrook
I oppose David Ogden for the position of Deputy Attorney General. He does not represent our views or values.
I hope you will do all you can to keep him from getting this position.
Thanks for all you do!!
Please provide a page for submitting our views on this most important post to our elected officials.
We need to bombard them with our protests!!
I don’t believe there is anything decent or moral that this man stands for. America is becoming corrupt. Don’t let this happen to our wonderful country. Do not confirm Ogden.
Please vote no on David Ogden for Asst Atty Gen.
He could hardly be fair with his track record.
David Ogden does not represent the majority of Americans with his very liberal views on traditional marriage, the family and life. Do not confirm him as Deputy Attorney General.
Greetings!
Mr. Ogden needs lots of prayer!! He is the most radical person I have ever encountered–except perhaps Adolf Hitler and his hatred for the Jewish Nation. He shouldn’t be considered for ANYTHING in our government!! Woe to us if he is elected!
May God be with our leaders to vote a resounding “NO” regarding Mr. Ogden’s nomination!
Sincerely in Christ,
Mrs. Samuel L. Martin
Please do not confirm Mr. Ogden for the office of attorney general. It is difficult to believe he was born in an era, and ultimately influenced by a time when Americans were losing there lives in defense of the very ideals he seems to oppose. Moreover, I truly wonder if his wife and three children would be his “wife and three children” if his views on marriage and sanctity of life were prevelent 25 or 30 years ago.
My sense is he would be either single, childless or involved in a same sex relationship. Mr. Ogden please consider supporting the same set of standards and mores you were so blessed to have grown up with.
Don’t you people understand what lawyers do? They make the best arguments they can on behalf of their clients. They get paid to do that. They don’t necessarily believe what they say in their briefs. Regarding the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, it was declared unconstitutional. Personally, I’m grateful when an attorney or an organization points out something that is contrary to our Constitution (i.e., illegal). Criminal attorneys represent murderers, rapists, and thieves. That doesn’t mean they condone murder, rape and theft. Bottom line: one can’t determine what Mr. Ogden’s moral values are based upon the legal briefs he has filed.
Oh the irony of it all. Liberal Democrats want to push through a “stimulus package” that will add, all tolled, somewhere in the neighborhood of $4 trillion. They need the taxpayers of the next three to five generations to foot the bill, and they want to confirm an Assistant Attorney General that wants to allow those generations to be killed off before they can even pay taxes. So who will pay the bills then?
This goes to show the lack of character judgement by President Obama. It falls on B.O.’s head for nominating such a liberal Deputy Attorney General. David Ogden is a desperate nomination, that only confirms the President’s liberal reputation in his first month as president. What a scam. Friends, this is going to be a long tough fight.
YES, for family values. NO on Mr.Odgen as Deputy Attorney General. President Obama, please read his credentials again. Where are the family values? His opinions on abortion are very disturbing.
Please do not confirm Mr. Ogden for the office of Deputy Attorney General. His values are very much anti family and the well being of children. He also appear to lack the type of morals that our country was built on. This man greatly concerns me, I fear what the future would be like here in America for my grandchildren if he was to be confirmed for such a responsible office. I beg of you to please reconsider his confirmation, and think about what would be best for our country and the future of children.
Please do not confirm Mr. Ogden. We cannot lose our family values this is very frightening and discouraging what is going on in our country. He does not hold American values or morals his voting record shows it. Please do not put this individual, David Ogden in office.
I am praying for our country to be reestablished in purity of thought and values.
Please do not allow Mr. David Ogden to be our next Deputy Attorney General. His views and practices run counter clockwise to those held by our country’s forefathers and the good people who are trying to raise their families and live right under God.
I will pray for him and those in power to listen to the people. God bless America.
Please do not confirm Mr. Odgen for office of deputy attorney general. Please reconsider his confirmation by thinking ahead to the results.
Please do not confirm Mr. Ogden for the office of deputy attorney general or any other position of responsibility. He neither understands the law or cares for the protection of the innocent. Degrees and honors do not compensate for a total lack of support for those ideals that protect our children from the designs of evil men and women.
For those who followed the election, this is not a great surprise. Mr. Obamas radical views on abortion, parental rights, pornography were veiled but available before the election.
David Ogden promotes principles that are anti-family, anti-children, anti-parent, and anti-life. His positions are very dangerous to our families. To pretend that pornograhy is not adictive or that it does not promote actively the the sexual and emotional abuse of men, women, and children is pretending. This man is dangerous to America and should have no repsonsibiltiy in any government position.
Either there is a God or there isn’t,either the Bible is factual or it isn’t. Our new president is functioning as neither exist.If this continues what is in store for the future of the United States if God does exist and the Bible is factual? Please do not confirm Ogden for the office of Deputy Attorney with his anti family values, as we feel that our country is about to discover that God does exist and it will not be pleasant for our nation under the direction of our new president if he continues to place into high ranking positions those who endorse evertything that the Bible warns against!!!
Those appointed to the office of the Attorney General are supposed to UPhold the laws of the land, which reflects the values of the American people. Since this man has no IDEA what the values of the American people are, and seems to be intent on destroying those values through the courts, since these issues fail in the legislative branch, where the people DO have a voice, he is NOT QUALIFIED to hold this position.
His lack of character and integrity are apparent.
Therefore we oppose his appointment. We represent 16 registered voters.
Unfortunately, I did not know about this nomination yesterday in time to call my senators. But Mr. Ogden, who has chosen to represent numerous pornographers, and who says the U.S. Constitution is nothing more than a “broad outline” that can be bastardized to fit his agenda,is not competent to serve the U.S. in any capacity. Yes, lawyers speak for their clients and not themselves in the briefs they file, but Mr. Ogden clearly has expressed an anti-American agenda in much of what he does. The Senate can and needs to deny confirmation.
From what I understand, Mr. Ogden’s views on life issues like abortion, homosexuality, etc are not consistent with the views of many Americans. I would suggest that most of us respect all of God’s creation and laws. We need leaders who have a good, moral compass that will help Americans navigate through the evil, corruption and enemies of good that are out there lurking to harm us.Our founding fathers had it right.
Mark Mischke
I appreciate every thing FRC does. I do wish that you published a link to some place where action could be taken – a petition, an email address, a website, or some other way we could make our voices heard on the topics you present.
Thanks again for your efforts.
Thanks for the good information, and I certainly don’t want David Ogden to be confirmed!! How can Christian people (and Obama claims to be one—I don’t know about Ogden) be in favor of killing babies?
I completely oppose Ogden’s nomination. His record confirms that he is against everything decent concerning child pornography, gay marriage, abortion, parental rights, etc. That is, he would allow children to be used for pornography purposes and other children to view it, oppose marriage as defined traditionally (marriage between a man and a woman), tax money to be used to fund abortions, and parents not allowed to have a say in their children’s moral conduct. In short, he is against everything that holds the fabric of our country together.
David Odgen should not be confirmed for the position of Deputy Attorney General.
Obama Picks Porn Lawyer David Ogden for Deputy Attorney General
Chairman Zero isn’t getting any better at picking people for high-level positions. His choice to serve as deputy attorney general under skeevy pro-terrorist lowlife Eric Holder is moonbat lawyer David Ogden. In the 2005 case Roper v. Simmons, Ogden ala…
This is a typical Obama pick! Godless people surround this man! Liars and cheats and people with absolutely no moral character or integrity It just blows my mind!
I am a born again Christian and the stars are starting to align for the Lord’s return. I’m keeping one eye on the eastern sky!
Another reason to oppose Ogden’s nomination is not found on any sites or blogs in my search so far. Mr. Ogden believes that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a UN treaty which has not been signed onto by the U.S., is binding upon us anyway as a part of international law. This convention usurps ALL parental rights.
In the Supreme Court case of Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), Ogden argued in a brief that the rules banning the juvenile death penalty contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child were customary norms of international law “binding on all states.” Parental rights must be specifically written into the constitution because so many “thinkers” of today, like Ogden, support this total disregard of the rights of parents to filter the negative impact of our increasingly immoral society.
In Ogden’s case, pornography is incompatible with Justice
As the research shows, frequent use of pornography distorts the perception of social realities in gender relations, weakens and frequently destroys marriages, has deleterious effects on children and ultimately undermines the sexual capacities of those …
I agree with Ken Phelps when he says that lawyers are required to make the best arguments they can on behalf of their clients. As a law student many years ago, I was asked to do a hypothetical brief for a professor hired by a number of conservative and religious stations, who were trying to get the “Fairness Doctrine” declared unconstitutional. In order to anticipate the arguments that the government would make, he asked me to write a brief SUPPORTING the Fairness Doctrine. Although I firmly believed the Fairness Doctrine was unconstitutional, I wrote the hypothetical brief supporting it. (Incidentally, the Supreme Court later upheld the Fairness Doctrine, using same of the same arguments that I’d suggested the government would rely on.) Does this mean that I supported the Fairness Doctrine? No, it just meant that my client (in that case, the law school professor) wanted me to present the best arguments I could.
I truly hope that this position is NOT confirmed. If it is, however, I shall be comforted by the knowledge that we are called to live in this world but not be of this world. God’s plan is at work, it always has been and it will continue to be far beyond the blip of my lifetime. I will continue to pray for the President and the other members of his Administration and do my best to judge all things but refrain from judgement of my fellow man.
President Obama, United States Representatives, United States Senators, Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States of America
The “change” promised by the President’s administration takes us further from the principles of our founding fathers than any administration in history.
May God have mercy on the American people as we petition Him to right the ship.
With that being said, I do not advise you to support David Ogden for any association with or employment by the “change administration”
Say no to David Ogden, enough already! Anyone who supports abortion will say yes to anything and everything that goes against Christian morality. Our country wants and deserves better than David Ogden. Its people like Mr.Ogden who is bringing our country and its children down to a level of indescency and coruption that surpasses all evil. We are sick and tired of these so-called Americans who are running our country into the ground and attacking our Christian morals. America deserves better and through our prayers and the help of Almighty God, America will prevail. God bless America!
Mary Ann McAndrew
This man David Ogden is an obomination, and his nomination confirms that we have elected one to the most powerful office in the world, the presidency of the United States. God forbid that the the senate should be so corrupt as to confirm this pick!
Bob Lyle, (minister)
Wellsboro PA
The audacity of the President to nominate and appoint David Ogden to the deputy attorney general is an abomination. I can’t believe this mans background. I as a parent, oppose his appointment and would hope that congress would not approve of his appointment. Who runs this country? A bunch of lunatics ?
Lynette Heims
Sycamore, Il
Feb. 9,2009
Packing the DOJ With Judicial Activists: David Ogden
Yesterday I examined some of the extreme positions of several people President Barack Obama has nominated to the Department of Justice. Associate Attorney General-nominee Thomas J. Perrelli is a former Clinton Administration official who represented M…
Please President Obama show common sense. Mr. Ogden is way out of touch with most of the American people. His views on a ton of important issues border on insane. I for one will be watching very close to see how my representives vote on confirming Mr. Ogden. Any yes votes will recieve my no vote when they run for reelection.
The last I checked, this is the United States of America, and we still have free speech. I applaud the appointment of David Ogden. He does not let religion get in the way of legislation. Remember, we were founded on separation of church and state people…we don’t ban books. I know all of the men out there have read Playboy, quit trying to lump it all together with pornography. This country is so prudish when it comes to sex. Guess what? Everyone has sex and we were all born naked! (go ahead, clutch your pearls you hypocrites)
Obviously Mr. Henniger, you don’t have children. Mr. Ogden wants to take the rights of parents away and destroy families. He believes that the government should be making decisions for our children and that even if the parents are doing a great job, feeding their children, clothing them, giving them values, the government can do it better. Very sad. For him to oppose filters for libraries to make sure little guys are not exposed to porn is horrible. For him to say that it is okay for a young girl to have an abortion without the knowledge of a parent is unethical. Women do die having abortions. And what I don’t understand is that he is in favor of parental consent for body piercings. Abortion is far more invasive to the body than a piercing. I live in the United States of American and I have every right to say what my children should and should not be exposed to without the government’s approval. If I want to raise them with Christian values, then I should be able to without the government telling me that my religion is unacceptable, and yet Scientology, Islamic and Buddhism is not. I have every right to raise them with values and to remind them of the boundaries of sex. Yes, most people have sex, preferably in the boundaries of marriage, and yes we were all born naked, that is a scientific fact that everyone knows…but that does not mean that my four year old is ready to be exposed to sexual content or pornographic pictures…and as an American I have every right to protect my child from the harm that Ogden stands to bring upon this nation. I will continue to call the Senators on this nominating committee to remind them that I am one of MANY tax payers against this man and his beliefs. If you have children and love them, you should fear what he plans to do about your rights as a parent.
Mr. Henninger reminds me of a great Truth that all Christians are wise to remember. The Word says in Matthew 7:6, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” We need to continue to pray for our country, our leaders, (as well as our enemies) perhaps now more than ever before. Let’s also remember Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Be encouraged, remember your armor as you prepare every day, and teach THIS to your children!
[Steven] says:
“I agree with Ken Phelps when he says that lawyers are required to make the best arguments they can on behalf of their clients. As a law student many years ago, I was asked to do a hypothetical brief for a professor hired by a number of conservative and religious stations, who were trying to get the “Fairness Doctrine” declared unconstitutional. In order to anticipate the arguments that the government would make, he asked me to write a brief SUPPORTING the Fairness Doctrine. Although I firmly believed the Fairness Doctrine was unconstitutional, I wrote the hypothetical brief supporting it. (Incidentally, the Supreme Court later upheld the Fairness Doctrine, using same of the same arguments that I’d suggested the government would rely on.) Does this mean that I supported the Fairness Doctrine? No, it just meant that my client (in that case, the law school professor) wanted me to present the best arguments I could.”
[Kenneth Phelps] says:
“Don’t you people understand what lawyers do? They make the best arguments they can on behalf of their clients. They get paid to do that. They don’t necessarily believe what they say in their briefs. Regarding the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, it was declared unconstitutional. Personally, I’m grateful when an attorney or an organization points out something that is contrary to our Constitution (i.e., illegal). Criminal attorneys represent murderers, rapists, and thieves. That doesn’t mean they condone murder, rape and theft. Bottom line: one can’t determine what Mr. Ogden’s moral values are based upon the legal briefs he has filed.”
I understand that he is a lawyer and has to defend his client and it doesn’t necessarily mean he believes in it. But, I think the point we all feel is that he has defended so many corrupt clients and ideas over and over that it seems he has a draw to THESE issues and it makes it seem like he IS for them. And we know that he is a democrat (or liberal) and a general belief in that party is pro-abortion and gay-rights, ect. So there has to be SOME truth to the fact that he also believes these issues he defended.
Please vote no to David Ogden being elected to the office of Attorney General. We do not need any more corruption in our COUNTRY.
I am deeply grieved by the nomination of such a man as David Ogden to be the next deputy attorney general! I am grieved by this, but not surprised at Barack Obama, who believes that children are a punishment (his statement when asked if he would allow one of his daughters to have a child out of wedlock if she got pregnant), rather than a “blessing and an inheritance from the Lord.” Even Laura Ingalls Wilder stated so poignantly in her book “Little Town on the Prairie” that God is America’s King and that freedom means the freedom to do what is right, not to do what is wrong. This man (Ogden) believes that the yet unratified UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is binding law here in America, removing the rights of parents to raise their children and giving it to the hands of a corrupt government system. Not only that, but he probably will not defend our laws protecting our children from pornography. What a grievous day for America. Please do not allow this nomination to pass, for the sake of our children and our parents.
This nation is in terrible trouble…they wanted change…well here it comes…and it will be the change in your pocket that you will have left. Amazing that our country will no longer be what it was meant to be. Now why did we leave England again? Only to be right back where we started!
By: Patricia Witt | February 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Destruction of tradition family values are at stake with the appointment of David Ogden to the post of Deputy Attorney General. I believe his statements regarding abortion,the sanctity of life in terms of supporting and promoting abortion, his stated view in terms of children causing psychological damage to mothers are all indicators of his disregard for traditional family values.
Because of this, I do not believe he will act in the neutral position on these issues and will use his position to influence the destruction of tradition family values.
I do not wish him to be confirmed into this position. Vote NO CONFIRMATION!